Leather-finishing machine



3 Sheets-Sheet '2.

(No Model.) G. LENNOX. LEATHER FINISHING MACHINE.

- No. 436,368. Patented Sept. 16. 1890.

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(No Model.) 7 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

' G. W. LENNOX.

I LEATHER FINISHING MACHINE.

No. 436,868. Patented Sept. 16, 1890.

G eorgeWLermox UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GEORGE W. LENNOX, OF HAVERHILL, MASSACHUSETTS.

LEATHER-FINISHING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 436,363, dated September 16, 1890.

Application filed November 29, 1889. Serial No. 331,921. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. LENNOX, of Haverhill, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and Improved Leather-Finishing Machine, of which the following is a specification.

In the finishing of leather for many purposes one surface of the leather is blacked and is then subsequently polished or glazed. This polishing or glazing is done on a glazing-machine which gives to the leather a high luster or glaze which is required in many of the uses to which the leather is put. The leather, however, after being blacked cannot be operated upon directly bythe glazing-machine, since the effect of the glazing or polishing operation would be to glaze away or remove the blacking. It is accordingly necessary after blacking the leather and before glazing it to apply aseasoning solution to the leather to prepare it for glazing. The sea-' soning solution ordinarily employed is a mixture of red aniline dye, blood albumen, extract of logwood, milk, and water. This seasoning solution is applied to the blacked surface of the leather and is thoroughly rubbed in. This seasoning operation sets the black color and enables the leather to take a high polish. The seasoning of the leather has heretofore been ordinarily done by hand.

Now the machine which constitutes the subject-matter of the present invention is one which is particularly adapted and designed for applying the seasoning solution to previously-blacked leather.

In order that the machine may properly apply the seasoning solution to all parts of the surface of the leather and may thoroughly rub the solution into the leather, it is provided with a power-driven padded roller, which rotates in fixed bearings, a source of supply for the solution from which the solution is conveyed to the padded roller, and a universally-movable leather-carrying table or bed which moves to and from the roller, which can be pressed with any desired degree of pressure against the roller, and which enables the surface of the leather to be presented to the action of the roller for as long an interval (or as many times) as may be necessary to thoroughly rub the solution in. V

While the primary object of the machine is to apply the seasoning solution to the leather, and while only when used for this object are all of its functions and capabilities utilized, nevertheless it can, if desired, be conveniently used for other purposes in connection with the finishing of leather, and can be used for applying any liquid dressing, mixture, or solution to the surface of the leather for the purposes of blacking, oiling, or otherwise treating the leather.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is afront View of the improved machine. Fig. 2 is aplan view. Fig. 3 is a vertical section in a plane indicated by the line 3 3 in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a vertical section in a planeindicated by the line 4: at in Figs. 2 and 3; and Figs. 5 and 6 are views of parts in detail.

The machine comprises as its essential 0perative parts a constantlyrotating powerdriven padded roller A, journaled in fixed bearings, a supply feeding-tank B, containing the solution which is fed to the padded roller, and a universally-moving table or bed 0, on which the leather is placed, and by means of which every portion of the surface of the leather may be brought into contact with the padded roller.

By a universally-moving table or bed is meant one which is capable of a movement in three directions, vertically, longitudinally, and laterally.

The universally-moving table or bed is operated by the attendant, and may be moved vertically and horizontally in right lines, and may be revolved in a horizontal plane, which eifects the necessary lateral movement.

The universally-moving table or bed 0 is supported on a suitable frame-work D, having vertical posts E at its four corners, each of which is formed with a vertically-extending groove or way a.

Sliding vertically in the four Ways a a in the several posts E E are four vertically-sliding bars F F. These sliding bars are mutually connected to form a rigid verticallymovable skeleton frame by longitudinally-extending top bars I) b b and by cross-rails o c.

Pivotally connected to the four upper corners of the vertically-movable frames are four levers G G,which respectively rest upon four diagonal braces d d, secured to each corner of the frame-work D. These braces (Z d constitute fixed fulcra upon which the levers G G respectively oscillate in a vertical direction. The four levers G G are all of the same length, and their respective fulcra are equidistant from the ends of the several levers. The four levers GGextendin a substantially horizontal plane toward the center of the frame-work D, so that their free ends are in close proximity.

Pivoted at the rear lower part of framework D is a treadle H, which extends beneath the free ends of the levers G and projects out beyond the front side of the machine so as to be within convenient reach of the attendant. The free ends of the several levers G are respectively connected to the treadle by chains 6 6. Consequently when the free end of the treadle is depressed the free ends of the levers G are lowered, and consequently the vertically-movable frame is elevated. When the foot is removed from the treadle, the vertically-movable frame resumes its normallowermost position.

In order to retain the vertically-movable frame in its elevated position, the treadle is provided with a lateral lip f, which co-operates with a fixed rack g on the frame-work D, the treadle having a sufficient lateral movement to permit of the engagement and disengagement of the lip and the racks. In this mannner the vertically-movable frame may be raised and lowered vertically in a straight line, as desired.

Mounted on the vertically-movable frame is a traveling carriage I, which is capable of being reciprocated in a straight line on said frame. On each side the carriage I is provided on its under side with shoes h h, (which may be replaced by rollers 2' i, if desired, both being shown in the drawings,) which rest and slide upon rails j j on the outer top bars 5 b of the vertically-movable frame. To maintain the proper relative position between the carriage and frame, the carriage has a downwardly-projecting guidefiange lo, which rests and slides in a grooved way Z, formed above the central bar I) of the vertically-movable frame. Mounted on the carriage is a rotary bed-plate J, which turns freely in a horizontal plane and in either direction arounda central spindle m, secured to the carriage. Upon this rotary plate the leather to be treated is placed.

The vertically-movable frame, the reciprocating carriage, and the rotary plate constitute the universally-movable leather-carryin g table or bed. By the described construction every portion of the leather placed on the plate J can be brought beneath any given point above the plate without shifting the po sition of the leather, provided the leather does not project beyond the edges of the plate, the plate, however, being easily made large enough to accommodate any size of leather.

The rotary plate is rotated on the carriage I by the attendant by means of hand-knobs n n on the plate. 7

The padded roller A, which applies the solution to the surface of the leather on the leather-carrying plate, is itself carried on one end of a shaft K, which is journaled in fixed bearings 0 0, supported by depending brackets p 19, secured to the frame-work D. The padded roller is rotated in the direct-ion indicated by the arrow Z by means of a driving belt q or equivalent means, which passes over a grooved pulley r on the outer end of shaft K and over guide-pulleys s s on the vfixed frame-work D. The padding of roller A is composed of felt or other suitable absorbing material.

Above the padded roller there is mounted upon the frame-work the supply tank or vat B, havingan outlet 7. atits bottom, from which leads a horizontal conducting discharge-pipe L immediately above the padded roller. The discharge-pipe has a series of discharging, perforations Lt a above the padded roller, so that the solution from the tank or vat is distributed evenly and uniformly upon the padded roller throughout its length.

An agitator M is provided within the tank or vat for the purpose of keepingthe solution within it homogeneous. This agitator consists of a series of revolving bladesv 41, carried by .a vertical rotating arbor to within the vat or tank. The blades 12 c rotate in a horizontal plane just above the discharge-outlet 25, so

that the solution is acted upon just before leaving the vat, thus securing the homoge neityof the solution when supplied to the padded roller A. The arbor w is rotated from the shaft K, through the instrumentality of grooved pulleys a: a: on the arbor and shaft, respectively, an intermediate drive-belt y, and intermediate guide grooved pulleys zz.

In front of and behind the padded rollerA are splasher-shields N, against the inner surface of which any surplus solution conveyed to the roller is thrown. The front shield receives by far the greater part of such surplus solution, (since the roller comes in "contact with the leather before any of the solution can be thrown off against the rear splasher,) and consequently a drain-trough O is provided along the lower inner edge of the front shield N. Any solution collecting in the trough is carried off by a downwardly-inclining pipe P, which extends backward beyond the frame work D, out of the way.

In using the machine the leather is first placed on the upper surface of the universally-moving leather-carrying table or bed 0 when the latter is in its lowered position. There is then sufficient space between the surface of bed-plate J and the padded roller A to enable the leather to be passed beneath the roller. The treadle is then depressed, thus elevating the table or bed 0 and bringing the leather thereon in contact with the rotating padded roller.

The pressure of the roller I on the leather can be varied by means of the extent of depression of the treadle.

During the operation of the machine the padded roller rotates in a predetermined position by reason of the fact that its bearings are normally fixed or stationary, so that it forms a surface against which the leather can be pressed with any desired degree of press ure by the upward movement of the bed-plate. The attendant then moves the bed-plate J in and out and rotates the same, thus bringing every portion of the leather into contact with the padded roller, so that the solution is applied to every portion of the surface of the leather.

The several movements of the bed-plate in connection with the padded roller enable the solution to be thoroughly and uniformly rubbed in. Every portion of the leather can be held in contact with the roller a sufficiently long time, or may be presented to the roller a sufiicient number of times to effectually rub the solution into the leather.

In order that all the leather maybe acted upon by the padded roller, itis only essential that the carriage I should have a reciprocating movement equal to the radius of the circular bed-plate J. As shown in the drawings, when the carriage is pushed back to its limit the center of the plate J is beneath the padded roller, and when the carriage is drawn forward the proper distance the outer margin of plate J (within the operating-knobs 'It at) is beneath the padded roller. To permit the forward movement of the carriage I to a sufficient extent, the bars I) bb of the verticallymovable frame and the rails fj and way Z thereon are extended in front of the machine, as shown. The carriage can, if desired, be moved forward, so that the bed-plate J will be entirely clear of the padded roller to facilitate placing the leather in position. Since the padded roller A rotates constantly in one direction, its friction upon the leather lying on the bed-plate J tends to slide the carriage I in a direction determined by the direction of rotation of the roller A. Since, as illustrated-in the drawings, the roller rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow 1, the carriage l is acted upon by a force which would move it in a direction indicated by the arrow 2, or toward the rear of the machine. This action of the padded roller on the bedplate J and carriage I is objectionable, since it interferes with the ready and easy manipulation of the bed-plate and carriage by the attendant. Mechanism is therefore added for neutralizing this action of the padded roller. This neutralizing mechanism, as shown, consists in counter-weights Q Q, which when not counteracted by the padded roller move the carriage I forward, or in a direction opposite to that in which the carriage is moved by the padded roller. These counter-weights are arranged on opposite sides of the carriage and connected to the rear end of the carriage by means of cords or chains R R, which pass over and between intermediate guide-pulleys S S. Two guide-pulleys S S are provided on each side for each cord, so that if the carriage is moved so far forward that its rear end passes in front of the pulleys S S the cord R will be held in position and not be chafed, worn, or entangled on any part of the fixed frame-work.

By the employment of this machine the blacked surface of leather may be treated with the seasoning solution in an effective, uniform, rapid, thorough, and economical manner, and the leather can then be glazed in a glazing-machine without removing the blacking, and can be given a high and brilliant polish.

I claim as my invention 1. In a machine for applying a seasoning solution to the surface of leather, a universally-movable leather-carrying table or bed the universal movements of which enable it to be raised and lowered to be moved longitudinally and to be moved laterally, in com bination with a power-driven rotating padded roller journaled in fixed bearings and located above said table or bed for applying a seasoning solution to and rubbing it in the surface of leather on said table or bed, the vertical movement of said table or bed enabling the leather thereon to be pressed against said roller, a source of supply for the seasoning solution, and means for conducting it therefrom to said padded roller, substantially as set forth.

2. A rotating roller for applying a liquid solution to the surface of leather, the rotating shaft of said roller, and a leather-carrying table or bed co-operating with said roller, in combinationwithasupply-tankforholdingthe solution and feeding it to the said roller, a r0- tating arbor within said tank, agitating-blades on said arbor, and mechanism intermediate between said shaft and arbor whereby the arbor is rotated by the shaft, substantially as set forth.

3. In aleathenfinishing machine, a rotating padded roller for applying a liquid solution to the surface of leather, a leather-carrying table or bed beneath said roller and co-opcrating therewith, and a feed-tank- 'for supplying a liquid solution directly to said roller,

in combination with a splasher-shield above and out of contact with said table or bed and cooperating with said roller to receive any surplus solution from the same, and a driptrough along the lower edge of said shield and above said table which receives the surplus solution from the shield and prevents it from falling onto said table or the leather thereon, substantially as set forth.

4. A universally-movable leather-carrying table or bed consisting of a vertically-mow ableframe, a reciprocating carriage sliding on said-frame, and a rotary leather-holding plate turning on said carriage, in combination with means co-operating with said table or bed for applying a liquid solution to the surwhich the tangential portion of said roller is face of leather upon the same, substantially moving, substantially as set forth. as set forth. In witness whereof I have hereunto signed 5. The reciprocating leather-carrying can my name in the presence of two subscribing 5 riage and supportin -plate and a rotating witnesses.

roller which acts frictionally upon the surface of the leather on said carriage and plate, GEORGE LENNOX' in combination with counter-Weights con- Witnesses: nected to said carriage and acting to move CHARLES L. BRIGGS, IO the same in a direction opposite to that in HORACE E. BARTLETT. 

